2Excited2Draw

Bucks are chasing in North-Central Kansas. Got it from the farmers mouth.

Well, I can tell you that the bucks came looking for a fight when I used the grunt call. Mostly 2 1/2 & 3 1/2 year old bucks. A nice 5 1/2 year old turned and came to the edge of the thicket, but when he saw two more bucks who came to the grunt he turned and walked away. Must have figured they were the ones grunting. Saw several bucks with does and when I grunted at them they turned away from me and took their does with them. The scents, I used Tinks 69 and Buck in Rut, attracted deer, but I noticed the older bucks become very cautious once they got the scent and saw no deer. Maybe I should have used a decoy with the scents? The rattle bag brought in on small fork-horned buck and that was it. Would hit it every 1 1/2 hours or so, with about a 30 second sequence. So, what does all this mean? I know the rut was strong while I was there, one old buck had 4 does with him and another had 6. So, I figured out what worked for me this year, with the rut in full swing. However, who knows what will be effective for me next year, as I will be hunting during more of the seeking and chasing phase. Good luck to all!

Well, my hunting is done and no bucks down. The gut pile that was found yesterday was done by the 3 guys we found on the property today. One got left on the north end, one on the south end, and the driver went to the middle of the property and waited to see what got pushed to him. They thought no one was there, we moved our truck, and the man in the middle ended up less than 50 yards from me. I don't think they will be back for a while. They didn't show up until the middle of the afternoon, so I was able to get some hunting done. Weather was light snow/freezing rain from 9 a.m. to the end of the hunt and I think that slowed the movement quite a bit. The two decent bucks I did see were with does and when I grunted at them they headed in the opposite direction with their does. Since they weren't too big, I bet they were afraid to run into one of the big boys. All and all the hunt was a success for me. Saw the biggest deer I had ever seen there, learned a lot about their travel patterns (found a new pinch point), and, most importantly, I got to spend quality time with my dad.

The rut started later this year and I think the first few days of rifle season will be the winding down of the rut. I did not hunt today, but I did go and move my stand this afternoon about 60 yards where I have seen the big deer the last two days. It is also where I have seen most of the deer come out into the area where I am. I was a little disappointed today when talking to the landowner. He told me he went down by the old farm, about 200 yards from me, and found a fresh gut pile this morning. Someone snuck onto his land from the adjoining land, went thru his gate in the middle of the section, got one, and got out without anyone knowing. I just hope they weren't walking all over down pushing the deer and messed up my hunt for tomorrow. Especially since tomorrow is my last day to hunt before I have to head back home. I do know that the high tomorrow is supposed to be 46, about 10 degrees cooler than it has been while I've been here, and there is supposed to be 3-6 mile/hr winds in my favor. Again, good luck to all!

Well, the 4 1/2 year old is really a 5 1/2 year old PIG!!! Saw him at 70 yards today with a 3 1/2 yr. old and his body was twice as big. Had a lot of bucks come in this morning with the grunt call. Had 8 different bucks, all 3 1/2 yr olds come within 30 yards in a two hour span. If I didn't have bad luck, then I wouldn't have any luck. Finally got the big boy headed my way with the grunt, but when he got to the edge of the trees to have a peak he saw two other bucks doing the same thing and 4 does heading their way. Needless to say, after he ran the other two off, he headed back into the trees with his new girlfriends. One real weird thing though, all buck movement stopped after 10 a.m., like it is still too hot for them. Anybody else seeing the same thing??

Close to Belleville. I hunted my normal stands for two days and only saw a few young bucks. My dad rode with me and stayed and he truck to see what he could for the upcoming rifle season. He's the one who saw the bucks in the area I moved to. He saw 6-7 shooter bucks the last three mornings, one was a "monster" as he would say. I still have tomorrow and Friday. Supposed to be 54 tomorrow, but drop to mid 40's on Friday. Either way, I think I'll now be in the right spot and it definantly is the right time.

Been hunting hard for 3 full days. Saw a lot of does, some still with fawns, on Sunday and as the weather has gotten warmer, I've seen less deer, but more bucks. The landowner where I hunt said he saw a buck with a doe chasing off smaller bucks last Friday. Today I saw a nice 4 1/2 year old 10 pointer dogging a group of 5 does, but the ladies weren't ready for him. It was his lucky day though, because the closest he got to me was 80 yards. Only hunted that stand this afternoon, but my dad has seen nice bucks there the last 3 mornings. Will be back at it bright and early tomorrow. Where I'm hunting, in North/Central Kansas, the deer are staying away from the wooded area they usually frequent and are staying in the pasture/hedge/sticker bush just south of the woods. So, if you're not seeing them where you normally do go where you would see them when it is warmer. Good luck to you all!

After driving the 775 miles from El Paso, TX to Salina, KS, I arrived at my dad's house early this morning. I just looked at the clock and in 12 hours it will be 30 minutes before sunrise, which is legal hunting hours here. It has been 4 years since I have bowhunted and I just hope I sleep tonight, since I plan on all-day hunts for the 4 days that I have here. The weather is supposed to be lows in 30's, highs in upper 40's, with not much wind. I couldn't have asked for much more!

Sweet buck, congrats!

Thanks for the update. In two days I'll be on the road and in 3 1/2 days I'll be in my stand! Hope it stays in the 40's. Thought about doing a daily log of my hunt. Maybe not though, because I don't want it to read....froze all day, got rained on, saw no deer!

Missed that one. 150 feet is a lot different than 150 yards. You should go kick his, just kidding. Maybe the guy isn't quite there.

I think this guy is making an effort, 150 yards is pretty good distance apart. He said he would get in before you and leave after you and based on your post he has done that. Then he puts his stand behind you at 150 yards and facing away from you, so he isn't trying to shoot any deer you would see. He's new to this area and maybe he put his stand in that new spot because he saw deer there and he didn't like his current stand or maybe he even thought he would be more out of your way with the new location. Think of things a little different, relax, and enjoy your hunting. This guy sounds decent and loves hunting, too. Consider this, maybe he lost his hunting ground or moved to the area and doesn't know anyone, so he doesn't have any other place to hunt. I understand your frustration when the "secret" spot isn't a secrect anymore. Give the guy a chance and I bet one day something good will come of it.

I'm still in El Paso, TX and eagerly awaiting this Friday when I'll be heading up to Kansas to hunt. My dad went out yesterday to the area where I will be hunting to look around for me and what he told me is very promising. The most important thing he told me is that because of the weather (real wet in North-Central KS) he said nobody has been hunting the 240 acres I have access to. He told that watter is standing in shallow areas that where he has never seen water before and the creek is very high for this time of year. So, the area is harder to get to, so the other person who has permission as hunted elsewhere. Yippee! Also, in the 4 hours my dad was there he saw a group of 4 does together (no bucks around), a 2 1/2 yr. old buck cruising about 4:30, and a 3 1/2 year old buck checking out a group of 3 does, but not chasing them. He glassed down to one of my ladder stands and he saw a buck and a doe bedded down not 20 yards from a ladder stand that I put up about 7 years ago. Said he was either 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 year old 10 pt. Not real big or tall, but decent. Does this coincide with what other hunters in North or Central Kansas, even Southern Nebraska (since I'm only 20 miles from Nebraska state line) are seeing? I wonder how these new ponds and the high water level in the creek will affect deer movement? 3 more days and I'm on the road!!

If he's rutting and not from the area, then you may not see him again. That being said, I wouldn't worry about spooking him. I imagine he has seen many a car/truck light when crossing roads. If you have a stand that is in a funnel where a deer like that went thru, then I would be in that stand for the next few days.

Cool story. That is what hunting is all about. Whether or not you get a deer, you still have that story. Some of these stories you never forget. Once, I was in my treestand by the Republican River at sunrise and I saw a large cat face looking at me about 35 yards away. I thought it was a mountain lion, because it was so big. As the sun rose more, I realized it was the biggest bobcat I had ever seen. After a while he got sick of watching me and quietly he disappeared. Wish those bobcats made a little more noise! Turkeys, hung deer, raccoons, possums, etc., you see it all when hunting.

The landowner where I hunt told my dad that he's been seeing more deer the last week. He usually doesn't go into details, unless he sees a monster. Thanks for the update and good luck!

I love my jerky, Twix, and Snickers. I will take water and usually Gatorade. I try not to eat too much, because bathroom breaks aren't the easiest to do when deer are moving.

What do you all like to snack on when in the stand all day or even part of the day?

Sweet deer! Would love to hear the story. With all the snow, it's obvious this was well earned!

Are you bow or rifle hunting? Kansas is great for bowhunting, because rifle season is not until beginning of December (which is after the rut). Don't know any outfitters, so can't recommend. I know the RealTree guys are always showing "pigs" being taken in Kansas and if you decide on Kansas I would ask them for references.

What has everyone been seeing in Kansas? Is the Moon Phase calendar correct and they are seeking to chasing right now? 10 more days and I will be in my stand!!

I've always used scents, but not had a lot of luck. Maybe I've just not been in the right areas? Who knows. I thought about using a drag rag with a scent. Is there a good way to do this without getting my scent all over? The can has worked for me in the past. When grunting or rattling, it's brought in young bucks. I picked a new stand site when I was back this Spring that is pretty close to a bedding area full of pines/evergreens. My stand will be in a tree surrounded by evergreens. I will be well hidden and I think the calls will be effect with all the cover around me and the area.

I asked a similar question the other day, but not in the bowhunting forum. It is more of a general question for all deer hunters, but I hope someone here can help. I will be going back to hunt North/Central Kansas, from Nov. 22 - 27th, for the first time in 4 years! The breeding should be going strong and I am really pumped. What pointers can anyone give me about the best scents and calls to use and if there are certain parts of the day to be trying them? Forecast shows possible snow the first day or two as well, so if you deal with snow on a normal basis and know that something freezes and doesn't work, please let me know. I'm not asking if Tinks 69 is better than Code Blue and I have a feeling I will be using one of them, or something like them. There are so many different scents, I just don't want to be using something that will alert the deer, because it isn't the right time for it. Also, I've heard some say that rattling is better in the morning? Is there a better time of the day to grunt, rattle, etc. Since I only have the 4-5 days to hunt, I want to get it my best effort and any advice would be appreciated.

Isn't that the truth!! If you are seeing deer, then your butt doesn't get as sore, you don't get as tired, and you don't get as cold. When you're not seeing deer, then it is one long and miserable day in the stand.

I will be going back to hunt North/Central Kansas, from Nov. 22 - 27th, for the first time in 4 years. The breeding should have started and I am really pumped. What pointers can you give me about the best scents and calls to use and if there are certain parts of the day to be trying them? For instance, I've read on here that some people like to rattling earlier in the day, but not sure if that applies to the breeding phase. I hunted this area for 6 years before moving, so it is not new to me and I have a good idea of travel routes, food sources, etc. Also, my dad still hunts it and has kept me updated on hot spots and changes. Hoping to use any knowledge you can give me to better my odds. Thanks in advance.